Induction of in vitro tuberization of potato microplants by acetylsalicylic acid

Abstract

Summary This paper describes the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a growth inhibitor and tuberization promoter on microplants of potato ( Solanum tuberosum cv. Russet Burbank) cultured in vitro . Stem growth was significantly inhibited by ASA at 10 −4 –10 −3 mol/L. The tuber-inducing effects of ASA on microplant shoot expiants were compared with those of a standard tuberization medium that contained chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and benzylaminopurine (BAP). Substitution of ASA (10 −5 –7.5 × 10 −4 mol/L) for the growth inhibitor CCC in this medium produced up to 100 % tuberization of microplant shoots. When these compounds were each tested as the sole plant growth regulator in the medium, ASA or BAP induced 40 to 70% tuberization, but CCC alone was ineffective.